Chapter 32: Chapter 31 - The Queen's Order

COURTNEY's POV

I want Chad Treyson. For real.

It's getting more real every second, but painful at the same time. Every time I see him ignore me, it hurts like hell.

After my talk with the girls, it gave me courage to act so boldly and do what I want.

Shameless as I have been, I even sent him a message last night. I asked help for my Math lessons— the formulas and stuff. He responded, and damn it made me jump out of my bed in joy!

I was holding my phone close to my chest. I steadied my hands and took a deep breath before I looked at his response. The smile that was on my face suddenly dropped when I read his reply. He sent the formula that I needed—nothing more, nothing less.

He even sent photos of his notes, he even made some side notes so it would make it easier for me to understand. He then said to just message him anything and anytime related to subjects. I felt that he actually reiterated that part.

To only text him if it's a matter of my school works and lessons.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

He didn't even ask how I was, how was my works lately, feelings or anything. He didn't completely ignore, he'd still be there if it's the matter of school work and stuff, which I guess it means he would still help me with my studying. Only that.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

He started feeling so distant and cold. I felt tears fell on my eyes when I realized that I might be too late already and losing him now. Now when I finally admitted to myself that I want him for real.

I haven't felt so helpless and hopeless in my entire existence. I was so used to getting what I want, from the material things up to the people that I want to be with.

How unlucky of me when I finally have someone that my heart truly desires, desperately needs even—that's the moment when the universe humbled me.

We can't always get what we want, huh?

I buried myself on the pillow and cried the whole night.

It's Friday. I was so determined to make this day different. I'd be the one who would make a move and greet him. But, by the time I got in the cafeteria, he was already leaving.

Nobody told me that falling in love feels like this. Would I rather stay the old Courtney—cold hearted and carefree, than this version of Courtney—defeated, hopeless, helpless?

I watched Chad go, this time, he didn't take a glance at me. Clearly, purposely ignoring my presence. This action of his left a pang of pain in my heart.

"I don't get it." I said as my eyes continued to follow him as he go.

"I know, right?" Jenny responded, pulling me out of my thoughts. For a moment there, I thought she knew what I meant. When I was about to agree to her, and probe more, Fiona already intervened.

"But we always celebrate it there!"

"We can try a different one this time." Lucy chimed in.

We settled on our table, still clearly lost at what they were talking about.

"We can ask what she wants so you three can stop fighting." Terry suggested, well more of instructed in an irate tone. Whatever it was they were arguing about, Terry clearly had enough of it. I laughed at her fourth eye-roll now since I paid attention to them.

Jenny, Lucy, and Fiona were discussing something. I tried to understand and follow the conversation, but I was still confused of what it was all about. I wouldn't want to appear as if I wasn't listening—though I wasn't really as my mind was somewhere else, well more like with someone else.

Terry nudged me and whispered. "They were talking about your birthday." I looked at her and she was shaking her head sideways while suppressing a laugh.

She knew.

I bet all my life that she knew how clueless I was and how my mind was pretty much occupied lately that it was hard for me to really grasp any of this without laying out all the details and pointing out the obvious.

I turned my attention back to my friends who were still arguing about the venue for my birthday—still two weeks away. My friends and I loved planning these things. I love my birthday a lot. It makes me feel extra extra special.

I always celebrate it at the country club that co-owned by my dad. Then my dad and I would go to some country that I wanted to visit and buy all the things that my heart desires.

My heart desires, huh?

Months ago, I was looking forward for my birthday. I'd been eyeing this limited edition luxury bag that I craved so bad, but my dad told me it would be better if he'd buy it on my birthday instead so it would be special.

Special?

I banged both my hands on the table which caught the attention of all the students in the cafeteria—something that I needed. The place went silent and all their eyes were on me, waiting for whatever I had to say.

Yes, I want my birthday to be special.

"I will be celebrating my birthday tomorrow at my house." I started. I held my chin up and continued. "And everyone is invited!" I finished off with a proud smile.

Everyone in the cafeteria cheered and sounding so excited. I haven't opened a party invitation to everyone, ever—especially on my birthday, because only the selected ones, well more of the popular ones, were invited.

But this one would be different.

I turned my attention back to my friends, who were clearly shocked and surprised with my decision. "What?" I asked with a laugh. "You want to know what I want, right?"

Screw the limited edition bag and trip to Italy.

There is only one thing I want for my birthday.

Just a moment with Chad. Him being there for my birthday would be enough.

That will be enough.

* * * * *

CHAD's POV

Jackson didn't speak to me after I told him the story. I tried to call him, but he didn't call me back. At this rate, knowing him, this means that he needed time to cool down so I gave him that.

Of course I understand where he was getting from. Just like me, he was just being cautious as well. I couldn't blame him for being protective after he witnessed what had happened back then. But just like what I said, Courtney is different from Olivia.

Courtney.

It's Friday and the closest encounter I had with her was through text messages. Last night, I sent her review materials when she asked about her math lessons. I sent her the photos for my notes and explained some through side notes as well. I even encouraged her to just ask me anything related to her studies and I'd help her in the best I can.

I really hoped that my method was effective, though it would be much easier if the lessons would be in person so I could see her problem solving skills.

See her.

I have to admit that I missed having conversations with her and even teasing her.

But what's holding me back? Tutoring her, meeting up in the school's backyard, throwing in some teasing and banter through text messages, late night calls—those weren't an issue before.

But now?

"There you are!" Jackson called me, pulling me out of my musing. He was clearly in a rush as the sweat on his forehead was a sign that he ran all the way here just to see me.

I was at the theatre for the drama club practice today. It hasn't started yet, but I found myself spending a lot of time here alone with my thoughts. Trying to clear my mind off things and only think of the things that matter—to make it a lot clearer.

"Hello to you, too," was my only response.

Whatever his reason might be, it was evident that it might be important.

"So, have you heard?" He asked, his tone was accusatory and demanding. As if those four words were enough for me to understand his rage. Jackson looked annoyed, and he wasn't even trying to hide it.

I didn't have time to play guessing game with him. I have rehearsals coming in few minutes. I turned my attention back to the script that I was holding, and continued to pretend reading it.

Jackson put his phone in my line of vision—blocking the script in view.

THE QUEEN OPENED HER PALACE FOR HER BIRTHDAY PARTY TOMORROW AND EVERYONE IS INVITED!

The heading printed in bold letters. "What am I looking at?" I asked, genuinely confused why he was showing me an article about a queen's birthday party.

"Seriously?" Jackson's reply was lacing with pure disbelief. I looked up and asked him again what he wanted.

"Courtney never invited everyone." He took emphasis and reiterate the words as if it was foreign to me.

I stiffened for a brief second at the mention of her name, but composed myself right away. I'd never wanted to give Jackson any chance to bring up his thoughts about Courtney again.

I thought at first that the article was just about a random queen, never it had crossed my mind that it was about Courtney.

I actually forgot that this school was obsessed about her popularity, and that everyone treats her like a queen, and calls her that, because when we're together, she is just Courtney—the fun, sensible, cute, and smart Courtney. The real her.

But, is that really the version of the real her?

What if, just like what Jackson said, this was just a fascade? A fake version of her to manipulate me?

Oh Chad, you should know better. You're the one who talked to her, tutored her, spent time with her. Your mom even said she liked her—and your mom is the best judgement of characters.

But what Courtney was saying and doing were completely different, it was so confusing.

What kind of mess I put myself into?

"Please don't try to defend her and tell me this has nothing to do with you again." Jackson said, well more of accused. I almost regret telling him what has been happening to me for the past few days, but he was my friend, and I needed a friend's point of view at that time.

"I won't go that party, if that's what you're here for." I avoided his glare and stared back at the script. I wasn't in the mood to argue with him. Plus, what should I do if I go there anyway? It's not as if I could properly greet her a happy birthday when she would be surrounded by her friends.

And I bet she did that because she wanted to include everyone on her birthday. She has changed and not thinking of social status anymore? Whatever good reasons she has, I bet Jackson has millions of bad reasons and was thinking of the worse. And I wouldn't want to hear any of it.

"And what if she orders you to come?"

His statement made me lost it. I stood up and met his eyes with the same rage. "Order?" I couldn't help feeling so spiteful about his wording. "Do you honestly think she treats me like her servant?"

"It never crossed your mind then?" He challenged.

I tried my best not to recall all the things she did before. It was already in the past, for goodness sake! Nothing good happens if you dwell on the past!

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. Fighting with him would be useless. He was so determined and was just being a friend. And with that, I sighed in defeat.

"I will not go to her party, so please drop it." I simply requested.

Jackson definitely lost it. The admiration he had for Courtney, the way he put her in the pedestal was all gone. He was completely different now, his animosity towards her was evident—treating her as if she was a witch that should be executed from her wrong doings.

I guess I should understand where he was getting from. What happened before was awful, there were signs everywhere, but I turned a blind eye on them. I refused to listen to his advices, and just followed my instinct. I was so sure I was right, and trusted Olivia—because I knew the real version of her, but I was wrong.

All wrong.

And what if this time, I was wrong again?

* * * * *

Jackson dropped the subject and left without saying a word, just in time for the rehearsals to start. It was a smooth one, we almost perfected the play, and the only thing that was left was to do the dress rehearsals which would be due in two weeks time.

More time then.

I was the only one left in the auditorium, taking one last look of the place before I completely leave it. I wouldn't want to leave the place untidy—it's bad manners. Leave it like how you saw it.

Just when I was about to leave, a familiar sets of footsteps echoed in the auditorium. I chuckled inwardly on how creepy I must have been when I realized how I can recognize her with just the sound of steps.

"Do you need help with studies again?" I asked before I turned around and face her.

She was clearly taken aback at my words, probably wondering how I'd known it was her coming. She caught on herself right away and straightened her gait. She continued to advance towards my direction, and I met her halfway.

It was the closest encounter I had with her for the past few days. She was looking so different, there was something about her that tells me she was masking something. Her eyes got my attention. Puffy eyes that wasn't that much evident because of the concealment that she applied on it, unless you stare at it fixedly.

Probably from late night studying?

I wanted to ask how she was doing, but held it back when she handed me what appeared to be an exam paper.

I took it and studied it. It was a math exam, and she got an A- on it! I didn't even try to stop the smile that formed on my lips. She did it! I was so proud of her, even without me tutoring her personally, she still managed to do it on her own!

"This, this is really gre—"

"I was aiming for an A, but it's still a little bit hard for me. But I'm getting there." Courtney started, her voice was low, almost inaudible.

"And you said that you would do anything that I wanted you to do if I get a B or an A, right?" Her tone has changed, it was shaky and low at first, but this time, it was more solid and firm.

She was staring at me, her eyes locked to mine.

"I want you to come to my birthday party and celebrate it with me." Though she tried to appear compose and calm at first, I felt a knot at the pit of my stomach at the sight of her trembling lips and sad eyes.

Before I could even try to reach out, she already turned her heels and started walking away. I was tempted to run after her, ask her what was wrong or ask if something happened. But I wasn't so sure where to start. I didn't know what happened for the past few days.

Just when I was about to move and follow her, a familiar voice stopped me on my tracks.

"So tell me, Chad. Is that a request or a Queen's order?"

— END OF CHAPTER 31 —

Hello! Thank you again for patiently waiting for this. I would be uploading new chapters weekly now, but it would be an alternating chapters between SILWAG and my new story GOOF. On my free times, I'll do my best to upload both on the same week.

Sorry and thank you all for you patience. I hope this time, the writing will be consistent (it has been for the past few weeks so I'm very positive about it!)

We are in the middle of the story now, just so you know. Hopefully this will be the ending that you all wanted.

Love you all!